Vientiane or Viang Chan, city, port, and capital of
Laos, in central Laos, on the Mekong River. It is a marketing center and
trades in teak and other hardwoods, gum benzoin, stick lac, textiles, and
skins. Manufactures include processed food, footwear, textiles, and building
materials. The city includes an airport, Sisavangvong University (1958), the
16th-century That Luang temple, a museum of antiquities, and the old royal
residence.

French style residence

After the division of the ancient Lao
kingdom of Lan Xang into three kingdoms in the late 17th century, Vientiane
became the capital of the kingdom of the same name. In 1827, when the Thais
seized control of Vientiane Kingdom, the city was virtually destroyed; it was
subsequently rebuilt. Vientiane was made the administrative capital of the
newly created state of Laos in 1946. Population (1995) 528,109.

purchasing jewelry at the night market

a Jar
(one of many ancient stone jars found in the "Plain of Jars")

Garden of the Buddha's

Park on the outskirts of Vientiane

the big Buddha

Buddhist Serpent

enter into the mouth

three headed elephant

Along the Mekong

Mekong river cruises for the
tourists

Historically the Mekong River lay at the center of the Lao world. People
living on both of its banks shared a common language and culture, and the river
served as the major axis of communication for these societies.

people transport

Now the river forms most of Laosís western border, separating the Lao people
on the east bank from their neighbors in Myanmar and Thailand on the west bank.

shipyard

Nevertheless, the river still serves as an
important artery of transportation and communication.